U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, R-Athens, won the straw poll asking who should replace retiring U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss at a meet-and-greet this week that attracted a crowd of about 200.

The straw poll saw 58 votes go to Broun, 17 to former Secretary of State Karen Handel, 12 to U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Savannah, 11 to Eugene Yu, 11 to U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Marietta, and three votes to Derrick Grayson.

The event was organized by Jason Halliburton of east Cobb, 1st vice chairman of the Georgia Black Republican Council and CEO of Halliburton Strategic Affairs.

Broun wrote on his Facebook page that it was an honor to win the poll.

“With two straw poll wins in the last week, the Broun for Senate momentum is continuing to build. Through your continued support, this is a race we will win,” he wrote.

J.D. Van Brink, chairman of the Marietta-based Georgia Tea Party, which does not endorse candidates, was among those in attendance at the event held at Kryptonite, a Franklin Road lounge.

“I would have to say I’m not surprised, and the reason I’m not surprised is because Paul Broun has a very good grass roots campaign,” Van Brink said of Broun’s win.

At the same time, Van Brink said Ron Paul won the straw poll at the Cobb Republican Independence Day Barbecue in 2012.

“And of course he went on to get single digits of the votes nationally,” Van Brink said.

“A straw poll really isn’t that meaningful and the reason is it’s not a statistical cross section of the voting public. It’s whoever happened to show up at the event that day.”

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